CHAPTER 366: CHAPTER 363 NIGHTMARE

Within the Palace.

After finishing the memorials, the Emperor rested in the Warm Pavilion.

These days, there were too many affairs to handle, such as deploying officials to the Eight States, and granting titles and rewards to Song Xian and Du Zhuo. Fortunately, Song and Du did not meet often, remaining wary of each other, and seemed to have the intent to contest the troop garrison rights of the Eight States.

If Song Xian and Du Zhuo were overly friendly and did not compete, the Emperor would be more worried. The North was such a vast area, and currently, the ones with the most authority were Song Xian and Du Zhuo.

Especially the Song father and son, who had control over several states and commanded tens of thousands of elite soldiers. He needed to promote others to balance the Song father and son.

Du Zhuo was clearly a good choice, as were the father and son from the Wang Family in Xizhou.

The Emperor was burdened with many thoughts and finally fell asleep, though it was not a restful sleep, as he hazily dreamed of his youth.

During a battle with former dynasty troops, he was besieged in a mountain pass.

The enemy threw fireballs and fire stones from the mountain, and he watched helplessly as those around him perished in the flames, the smell of burning flesh in his nostrils, and cries of agony ringing in his ears.

Although he had fought many battles, that instance loomed like a massive shadow, occupying a corner of his mind.

The fire reached him, and he saw the flames ignite on his armor, about to consume him, when someone pulled him away, wrapped him in a cloak, and extinguished the fire on him.

It was Prince Guangyang.

Prince Guangyang’s face was full of concern as he said aloud, "Gladly, the reinforcements have arrived."

The Emperor, pleased, wanted to embrace Prince Guangyang, but for some unknown reason, the dream suddenly twisted. Prince Guangyang looked at him in shock, fell backward, and then into a heap of flames.

Prince Guangyang’s piercing voice echoed: "Shameless scoundrel, unfaithful! Even if one woman of the Yang Family remains, we will seek your life for this blood feud."

The Emperor awoke from the nightmare, his forehead cold with sweat, eyes wide open, as if the scenes from his dream were still before him, the smell of burning still in his nose.

Prince Guangyang’s voice seemed to linger in his ears.

"Someone come."

The Emperor called out loudly, and the night watchman Du Zheng and palace attendants immediately brought lamps forward.

The Emperor’s forehead veins bulged, his face somewhat pale, though his eyes were dark and sunken: "Take away all these warmers."

"Yes." The palace attendants dared not delay.

"Heavenly Family," Du Zheng said in a low voice, "what happened to you? You’ve sweated so much... I will immediately summon the Imperial Physician."

"No need," the Emperor stopped him, "I am fine."

The Emperor’s voice contained anger and bloodthirst, making the court members even more fearful.

Du Zheng gestured for everyone to withdraw, then quietly said, "Does the Heavenly Family have any troubles? Could you share them with me?"

The Emperor gazed at the lanterns, and after a long pause, his gaze refocused: "Prince Guangyang said that even if one woman remains, they would come to assassinate me."

Du Zheng was stunned. Did Prince Guangyang ever say such things?

The Emperor turned to Du Zheng, seeing his bewildered face, "You say, why is there really one woman left? Am I dreaming, or is it indeed true?"

"Heavenly Family," Du Zheng finally spoke, "perhaps it’s the heavy workload recently, and you are too fatigued."

"You don’t believe?" the Emperor said coldly, "But I feel... that’s what he said."

Du Zheng said, "For Prince Guangyang to say such things is utterly treasonous; the entire Yang Family deserves extermination."

Upon hearing this, the wrath in the Emperor’s eyes finally dissipated slightly: "Rightly said, I am the Emperor. Not to mention a single woman, even if Prince Guangyang were alive, I would still kill him."

Du Zheng quietly breathed a sigh of relief, stepping forward to place the pillow for the Emperor to lean on.

Closing his eyes, the Emperor felt much more at ease: "You understand me."

Du Zheng promptly said, "I’ve been by your side for a long time and have seen a lot, that’s all."

The Emperor asked, "How are those from the Chen Family Village faring?"

Du Zheng said, "Xie Shao Yuan and the Old Madame have been staying at the residence. Miss Xie had Miss Xu accompany her to tour the streets of the Capital. Mr. Song, however, visits the residence daily and seems to be getting along well with the Chen Family Village people."

When the Chen Family Village people entered the capital, Song Xian welcomed them diligently, clearly aiming to marry into the Xie Family.

"The rewards for the Chen Family Village will have to wait until all departments are ready," the Emperor said, "there are still some days to closely observe those people."

Du Zheng answered: "A message from the Empress says that tomorrow, she’ll have palace matrons sent to the residence to teach Miss Xie etiquette."

"Tell the Empress to handle it carefully," the Emperor said, "the Xu Family should not make any more mistakes."

After speaking, the Emperor dismissed Du Zheng: "Leave now, I wish to rest a bit more."

The Warm Pavilion fell quiet again, and the Emperor thought of the dream again, wondering just what kind of storm one woman could stir up? It was merely causing him a nightmare.

The Liao emissaries agreed to exchange Xiao Xingzong for the Third Prince, and he would have Xiao Xingzong executed; this was the consequence of betrayal. Even fleeing to Liao, he could have Liao send him back.

With Xiao Xingzong dead, the events of the past would remain hidden.

...

Mrs. Gao was up early, bustling about the residence with Hei Dan and a few others.

Liangchen mentioned arranging a poetry gathering that had been in preparation for two days, and today, the wives and daughters of the noble families would arrive.

Mrs. Gao was both excited and anxious; before coming to the Capital, apart from Old Mrs. Song, she hadn’t really seen any officials’ wives and daughters.

"Should the floor be wiped again?" Mrs. Gao asked, "Is the food prepared in the kitchen enough?"

Muttering as she went, Mrs. Gao carefully walked from the flower hall to the study. She had taken out all the items from the house and reminded Hei Dan to steer clear of them, warning that if anything was damaged, Hei Dan would have to stay in the Capital as a servant to repay the debt.

"Miss Chen," Mrs. Gao asked, "are the return gifts we prepared suitable?"

"They are," Xie Liangchen said, "Second Aunt need not worry; they are the best items from our Chen Family Village."

Mrs. Gao let out a long breath of relief.

The hour was near, and the steward also came to report: "Miss, Miss Xu has arrived."

Xie Liangchen hurried out to greet her.

It was the first time Xie Liangchen was hosting a poetry gathering, and Miss Xu naturally needed to assist. Aside from sending invitations to the women of the Capital, she also had to help arrange the setup early.

"Is there anything not yet prepared?" Miss Xu asked, "Never mind the refreshments, but are the pens, ink, paper, and inkstones ready? The women I invited are particularly talented."

Xie Liangchen replied, "Are these ladies skilled in calligraphy and painting?"

Miss Xu smiled and said, "Indeed they are."

Xie Liangchen said, "That’s perfect; I have some calligraphy and paintings I’d like to seek their advice on. I’ll bring them out this time for everyone to give their opinions."

Miss Xu smiled, "They would certainly be glad to help."

While they were chatting, two more carriages arrived.

Turning to look, Xie Liangchen saw a familiar figure stepping down from a carriage.